More Studies

I've been working up more of these small studies - small stitched mixed-media collages incorporating wood block prints, paper ephemera, lace, fabric and other small embellishments. I want to see where they lead; see how the elements work and play together; see how I like their natural simplicity before moving this into a larger series of work.

Many thanks to all who have been sending me encouraging words. As timid as I am about putting my work out into the world it is very comforting to receive such heartening praise. I hope to share some of my larger works very soon.

Welcoming Summer...

with a new series of work.


Fabric and paper painted with vintage wood blocks,

Bits of lace and ephemera

All stitched together in petite vignettes.

Finding My Voice

With these small studies I'm working towards finding my own voice again.

When I was in seventh grade I had to take choir in school. I didn't particularly like singing but if I had to sing in choir I wanted to sing Alto. I loved the deep, soft folds that Alto voices added to a piece of music and I wanted to be part of that. No, no, said the teacher, we already have plenty of Altos. I need you to sing Soprano. So I did, but I wasn't good and I didn't enjoy it.

Finding my own voice now means finding a comfortable range that produces a lovely harmony. Even if there are already plenty of Altos.

p.s. For those who asked, the lake in the banner is located along the Austrian border with Germany, deep in the Alps. And yes, I once lived very near there. {sigh}

Use those talents you have

I've had this hanging in my studio ever since I finished it a couple of weeks ago. It has been a lovely reminder to me and I'm now inspired to move ahead. There is so much more to come.

Projects, New and Old

Since moving into my new studio I've been pulling out and organizing older unfinished projects, trying to gather all their materials together so that they can be completed.

Here's a quilt started about a year ago, needing some attention to get it finished.

But somehow, with each unfinished project I pull out, I'm more inspired to start a new one than to finish the old one. How does that happen?

Already I have something new started on the design wall.

A Perfect Place

When I posted photos of my new studio I mentioned the small courtyard beyond the glass doors. Well, Herr Himmel was kind enough to take some beautiful pictures of the courtyard for me. It really is the perfect place to sit and enjoy Kaffee und Kuchen in the afternoon while taking a break from the creating.




And, thanks to the support I've been getting in regards to my drawing, I will show you a drawing of the courtyard very soon. I am taking to heart all the advice I get and I will practice, practice, practice.

Drawing like a child again

I am one of those people who have always said, "I can't draw." And it has always shown in whatever I have tried to draw. Certainly, I believe that my attempts were influenced by my attitude, so when I believed that I couldn't draw, I was right, I couldn't.



Changing this attitude after half a lifetime is something I have been wanting to do. Not drawing has affected a great deal of my creative efforts, and not in a good way. There are so many creative ideas I have that would really benefit if I would just pick up a pencil, pen, crayon, or lipstick and draw with them! So, this has been one of my personal challenges this year - to not say, "I can't draw." Instead, I would like to embrace the concept of "This is how I draw." I want to try to recover that quality children have of just doing. It may not be the greatest technique or style, but it will be my technique and my style.



This pencil drawing will be continued...